Covid infections quadruple in one month but vaccines are working

BMA advises GP's not to accept any new patients

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Covid infections in the UK have quadrupled since June 7 but infection rates for double vaccinated under-65s are three times lower than in unvaccinated under-65s.

Interim findings from the latest report of REACT-1, one of the UK’s largest studies into COVID-19 infections in England, have been released.

Over 47,000 volunteers returned PCR tests in England between 24 June and 5 July to examine the levels of Covid-19 in the general population. The latest data show infections in England have increased fourfold from 0.15 per cent to 0.59 per cent since the last REACT-1 report which covered 20 May to 7 June.

The main findings from the first half of the thirteenth round of the REACT-1 study show that overall prevalence nationally is substantially higher in round 13 interim (swabs taken 24 June to 5 July) than round 12 (swabs taken 20 May to 7 June), rising from 0.15 per cent to 0.59 per cent – an approximately fourfold increase with around 1 in 170 people testing positive.

There have been substantial increases in all age groups under the age of 75 years, and especially at younger ages, with the highest prevalence for 13 to 17 years at 1.33 per cent and 18 to 24 years at 1.40 per cent.

Infections have increased in all regions with the largest increase in London, where prevalence has increased more than eightfold from 0.13 per cent to 1.08 per cent.

In people aged 64 or younger, the prevalence of infection among those who had received two doses of vaccine was 0.35 per cent compared with 1.15 per cent among those who had not received any vaccine, demonstrating the impact of the vaccination rollout.

“As we unlock society and learn to live with Covid-19, we will inevitably see cases rise significantly over coming weeks. But today’s findings show that infection rates are three times lower for those who have had two vaccine doses,” said Health Secretary Sajid Javid on July 8.

“It is more important than ever to get that life-saving second jab so we can continue to weaken the link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths and build a wall of defence against the virus.

“As we move from regulations to guidance and get back to our everyday lives, see our loved ones and return to work, it is vital people practice good sense and take personal responsibility for their own health and those around them,” he added.


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Deirdre Tynan

Deirdre Tynan is an award-winning journalist who enjoys bringing the best in news reporting to Spain’s largest English-language newspaper, Euro Weekly News. She has previously worked at The Mirror, Ireland on Sunday and for news agencies, media outlets and international organisations in America, Europe and Asia. A huge fan of British politics and newspapers, Deirdre is equally fascinated by the political scene in Madrid and Sevilla. She moved to Spain in 2018 and is based in Jaen.

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